I Am Not Your Master; I'm Your Partner Book Three

A Fine Place

Spring arrived at the early at the coast.

The first of April yielded both the greenness of May and the warmth of June. Tight buds stood up on branches, and others started to unfurl, their delicate ruffles eager to meet the sun. Daffodils rose and began to bloom, showing off their golden hairs between sturdy verdant fronds.

Small white Egrets waded in the shallow waters at the base of the cliff, picking their way through the smooth pebbles for a meal, while the Oystercatchers preferred to graze in deeper waters. Small foxes tumbled in the long grasses along the fence line, and rabbits ferreted out warrens among the thick roots of the Willow, occasionally popping out from the brush to chase after the small Paperwhite butterflies that seemed to favor the openness of the meadow to the clotted groves of Birch and Blackthorn trees.

The house, airy and sprawling across the flowered plateau, seemed to be holding its breath in anticipation of their return.

* * *

"That's everything," Phil puffed, wiping the back of his forearm across his forehead. He smiled wearily at Dan, who was not allowed to lift anything.

"You look so sexy," Dan grinned. "I like it when you move things." He winked and wiggled his brow, hoping to make his husband laugh.

"Sexy?" Phil bellowed. "I don't feel very sexy; I feel ... extremely out of shape." He laughed then, but kindly. He understood that Dan was being honest. "Thank you, Sweetheart." He fanned himself by tugging at the collar of his t-shirt and leaned down to kiss Dan on the cheek.

"Water," Dan smiled. "I filled a bottle for you. I'm on hydration duty; me and Noah. Right, Darling?" He turned to their son, who was busy working out the best way to carry three plushies, his own water vessel, and his new bag of Tumi Ishi building blocks. He kept dropping the spotted deer plushie, which he had previously chosen for himself.

They giggled softly, and Dan started to move forward to offer the little Neko some advice. He thought better of interrupting the child's problem-solving process and continued to observe him instead. The boy was so precious, Dan thought he might cry. He had been feeling particularly vulnerable since Phil, Michael, and Kate started loading up their belongings over an hour ago.

The Neko sighed with frustration and grunted before crouching down on his little haunches. His parents watched as he dumped the bag of velvety, jewel-colored blocks onto the now-bare hardwood floor. He examined the empty bag, turning it upside down and then sideways. Phil had to stifle a noise when Noah started sweeping all of the items inside the bag in a fury of limbs.

"Do you think he's gonna-" Dan whispered but stopped short. Yes, it seemed that Noah had worked it all out. The bag bulged and the drawstring could no longer be cinched, but all of the toys had been contained. Noah hummed in satisfaction and started to drag the elongated string with both hands.

"You worked it out, didn't you, Angel?" Phil beamed, his cheeks still stained pink with the flush of exertion. "I knew you would." He scrunched up his nose and took another long swig from his water bottle.

Dan brought his knuckles to his mouth to hide his wide grin, and he wondered if there was anything better than watching another life thrive in Phil's hands.

* * *

The warmer weather meant that there was no longer a need for jumpers or jackets. There was no concealing Dan's pregnancy now. He had grown firm and round to his navel, his silhouette curved and generous. Phil was both proud and admiring of his husband's shape.

Phil feared for Dan. He feared for their unborn child, and for Noah too. Society had been slow in their acceptance of Nekos. Few people were prepared to see a pregnant Neko. At the very least, people would stare or possibly make personal inquiries. They could handle these things with ease and grace, having been accustomed to people's natural curiosities for some time. They would ignore the nasty comments and the lewd gestures. They were offense to be sure, but these things were both unthreatening and untrue. Threats of violence, however, were an entirely different story. Phil was prepared to do absolutely anything to defend his family.